Electric Candle Flame Element Swing and Rotation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric candles have complex suspension mechanisms, leading to difficult assembly, high power consumption, and a lack of realism in simulating the flickering movements of a burning flame, as they do not effectively replicate the natural movements caused by surrounding air.
Innovation Solution
An electric candle design featuring a housing with a support element and actuator that allows the flame element to swing and rotate freely, using a single electromagnetic actuator to create chaotic and realistic movements, while being energy-efficient and easy to assemble, with a robust construction and enhanced realism through controlled light projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex suspension mechanism is used to suspend the flame element, then the flame element can be held in position, but the assembly procedure becomes difficult and requires many steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex suspension mechanism entirely and replaces it with a simple support element that directly holds the flame element. The flame element is suspended freely without wires or complex attachments, extracting the unnecessary complexity while maintaining positioning stability through the support tip and engagement recess design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to hold the flame element in place, the patent inverts the approach by allowing the flame element to rest naturally on a simple support tip. The engagement recess and support tip configuration provides stability through geometric constraint rather than mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex suspension mechanism is used to suspend the flame element, then the flame element can be held in position, but the assembly requires a huge number of steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary suspension mechanism components and replaces them with a simple support element. The flame element assembly now requires only placing the flame element onto the support tip, reducing the assembly steps from many complex operations to a single simple action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the support function into a dedicated support element with a support tip, separating the positioning function from the housing structure. This segmentation allows for easy assembly where the flame element simply rests on the support tip without requiring integration into complex suspension structures.
3Reliability
If conventional suspension mechanisms are used, then the flame element can be supported, but the candle has high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The support element and engagement recess configuration allows the flame element to be supported passively through its own weight and geometric constraints. The system uses the flame element's gravity to maintain positioning without requiring active mechanical components, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable support.
4Ease of manufacture
If the flame element is suspended freely without wires, then the assembly is simpler, but the flame element may unintentionally be displaced during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using wires to prevent displacement, the patent inverts the approach by using the engagement recess and support tip geometry to create a self-locking configuration. The flame element rests on the support tip in a manner that prevents unintentional displacement without requiring additional restraining mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement recess and support tip are configured with asymmetric geometry that provides stable positioning in the intended orientation. The asymmetric design creates a stable resting position that prevents displacement during normal handling and transportation while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a more realistic simulation of a burning flame, reduces assembly complexity, and lowers power consumption, providing a robust and energy-efficient electric candle that mimics the natural movement and appearance of a wax candle.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator for applying a force to the flame element... where the support tip, the engagement recess and the actuator are configured so that said force causes the flame element to simultaneously swing about said engagement point and rotate about the vertical axis through said engagement point
Implementation Method 2
a light source for emitting light on the upper flame portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electric candle (1) comprising a housing (2,3;3';3'') with an upper opening (4,5;5';5''), a support element (40;40';40'') with a support tip (45;45';45''), a flame element (6;6';6'') comprising an upper flame portion (7;7';7'') extending out of said upper opening (4,5;5';5'') and an engagement recess (48;48') for receiving said support tip (45;45';45'') in a manner where the flame element (6;6';6'') rests on top of the support element (40;40';40'') and the contact point between the support tip and the engagement recess defines an engagement point (61;61';61''), an actuator (41,66,67;41',66',67';41'',66'',67'') for applying a force to the flame element (6;6';6''), and a light source (11;11') for emitting light on the upper flame portion (7;7';7''), where the support tip (45;45';45''), the engagement recess (48;48') and the actuator (41,66,67;41',66',67';41'',66'',67'') are configured so that said force causes the flame element (40;40';40'') to simultaneously swing about said engagement point (61;61';61'') and rotate about the vertical axis (62;62';62'') through said engagement point (61;61';61'').